On Bended Knee

Day 11 - A glimpse of glory

“In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross!

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

-Philippians 2:5-11

(Photo by Todd Quackenbush on Unsplash)

In this passage we find references to Jesus’ first coming and also his glorious future return, so it is a very fitting passage for us to meditate on during this Advent season.

The profundity of the incarnation is on full display: Jesus, who was (and is) fully God, voluntarily stepping away from the benefits of deity and entering the human experience as a completely helpless baby, unable to do anything for Himself and being fully reliant on others for everything. The One who never needed anything and was perfect and complete in every conceivable way, chose to embrace the fragility of humanity.

We live in a world that values strength and power and independence, and shuns weakness and relying on others. We look for ways to increase our control over our lives and choices. We fight for our rights rather than laying them down and seek comfort and avoid inconvenience. As followers of Jesus, filled with His Spirit we seek to follow Jesus’ example and hear the Bible call us to have the “same mindset” that He had.

In this passage we are also given a glimpse into the future, the second Advent, when Jesus will return in exaltation and as glorious King. Once stubborn knees will quickly bow at the sight of His coming, and reluctant, even rebellious tongues will confess the glory of His name.

Every day we have new opportunities to choose to embrace the ‘attitude’ or the ‘mindset’ of Jesus. We may not have been terribly successful at doing this yesterday or last week, but today is a new day with new opportunities. We may have made a mess of things yesterday, but today we can make fresh choices to embrace the ways of Christ.

Take a moment and pray about this. Invite the Holy Spirit to enable you to have the same mindset as Jesus and to show you how that can be lived out in the day ahead.